Water rate hike on tap

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 10, 2013 1:00 AM
Customers who rarely turn on the tap will start paying more for water.  Greater Vernon water rates are climbing three per cent across the board, including for those who only use up to 20 cubic metres. Previously they paid no consumption fee. “I know we need the money but these are the people who  use the least amount of water,” said director Bob Spiers, who opposed the 2013 utility budget. However, Regional District of North Okanagan staff defend placing a fee on low consumption. “There’s a cost to maintain the service, whether people use it or not,” said Dale McTaggart, engineering general manager. “Water mains break and there is a need for a water treatment plant.”
Support came from director Jim Garlick. “Whether you use zero water, there is a cost to bring the water to the house. You have access to the service,” he said. Much of the money will go towards aging infrastructure. “The reason we’re in this situation is B.C. is unique in North America,” said director Rob Sawatzky. “We’re addressing a situation other jurisdictions addressed years ago and we’re having to catch up.” Six businesses, including golf courses and nurseries, will see the rate for irrigation water climb 50 per cent. “We want to bring them up so they eventually pay the commercial rate,” said McTaggart.
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Quarterly Water Rate changes at Different consumption levels.

Don Quixote Note: 
As to the idea that rates are increasing 3% across the board including those who only use 20 cubic metres look at table at left and you will see that the customer who uses 20m3 per quarter will have a $16.38 increase or 20.97%. Percentage wise he will have the highest increase of all users.  On an annual basis he will see his water bill increase $65.52  from $312.48 to 378.00.  (20.97%)

Please check out post http://vernonblog.blogspot.ca/2013/03/water-rates-effective-april-1-2013-if.html to see water rates effect on 4 different customers. ( Lowest actual % age increase of 8.71% goes to a high consumption user who uses 584m3 annually compared to our frugal consumer who only uses 20m3 Quarterly. (80 m3 annually)

A Calculator (on right side of BLOG) where you can interactively enter your quarterly consumption totals in m3 and see your $ increase can be found at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AqjuHhD4a7O5dDFoRWFQXzlOd2tlSHJjb0dDOUEzWVE&usp=sharing

Rate Changes in 2013 for residential Water customers

1.  Base rate has increased from $78.12 per quarter to $80.50
2. Tier A First 10m3 per quarter charged at 50 cent/m3 = $5.00 per quarter. (free last year)
3. Tier B Second 10m3 per quarter charged at 90 cent/m3 = $9.00 per quarter. (free last year)
4. Tier C 21-40m3 1.00/m3 (98 cents in 2012)
5. Tier D 41-80m3 1.25/m3 (1.20 cents in 2012)
6. Tier E over 80 m3 1.80/m3 (1.74 cents in 2012) 

Rates as approved by GVAC committee must yet be ratified at the RDNO directors table.  Will probably happen at next meeting in March.